Signal No. 1 in 2 Palawan areas as TD Romina heads for Kalayaan Islands

MANILA, Philippines — Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 1 was raised in another Palawan area on Sunday afternoon as Tropical Depression Romina moved towards the southern portion of Kalayaan Islands.

Signal No. 1 was hoisted in the southern portion of Palawan in Balabac and the Kalayaan Islands, according to the 5 p.m. forecast of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

Strong winds ranging from 39 to 61 kph and intermittent rains may be expected in areas under Signal No. 1.

Romina was last located over the coastal waters of Rurok Island, Kalayaan, Palawan outside the Philippine area of responsibility.

It was packing maximum sustained winds of 55 kph, with gusts of 70 kph. It was moving northward at 35 kph, Pagasa added.

“On the forecast track, Romina may pass near the southern portion of the Kalayaan Islands area in the next 24 hours. It must be noted that a brief entry within the Philippine area of responsibility is not ruled out,” Pagasa said.

“Romina may briefly reach tropical storm category within the next 12 hours before weakening into a tropical depression for the rest of the forecast period,” it added.

In a separate advisory, Pagasa said moderate to intense rains may be expected in various parts of Luzon and certain parts in Visayas due to the combined effects of Romina and the shear line until Monday noon.

READ: Heavy rainfall expected in Luzon due to TD Romina, shear line

A gale warning was likewise raised by Pagasa over the northern and western seaboards of Northern Luzon and the western seaboard of Southern Luzon.